HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK ---------------------------Afghanistan signs Olympic Truce in Athens
ATHENS, March 26 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's minister for women's affairs on Tuesday signed the Olympic Truce in Athens, promising a ceasefire during the next Games in 2004.
Sima Samar, one of two women appointed to the nation's interim cabinet, signed the truce, which promotes the ancient tradition of laying down arms during the Olympic Games.
At a meeting with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, she also asked Greece to support efforts to find lasting peace in Afghanistan.
"We've asked Greece to help us push the EU for more multinational troops in Afghanistan, because we don't want to lose this chance we have (for peace)," Samar said.
The International Olympic Committee revived the truce idea in 1992 and the United Nations adopted it a year later.
In ancient Greece, warring cities had to stop fighting during the Games to secure the participation of athletes and safe passage for spectators in the ancient world's biggest sport and religious event.
Papandreou offered Afghanistan condolences and financial support after a series of earthquakes struck northern Afghanistan earlier in the day, killing as many as 2,000 people.
"We'll do whatever we can, with resources as well as financial aid," Papandreou said.
The foreign minister said Greece would help women in Afghanistan and promised funding for a project to help 5,000 Afghan girls to return to school. He also pledged support to educate Afghan refugees in Greece and help them to return home.
10:05 03-26-02
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